Frederick james strong



(No Model.)

P. J. STRONG. CHIN REST 0R HOLDER FOR VIOLINS..

Patented May lz FIG. 4.

FIG.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK JAMES STRONG, OF COVENTRY, ENGLAND.

CHIN REST OR HOLDER FOR VIOLINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,053, dated May 12, 1896. Application filed December 28,1895. Serial No. 573,633. (N0 model.) Patented in England June 21,1895,No.12,062.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK JAMES STRONG, watchmaker, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at 10 Chester Street, Coventry, in the county of IVarwick, England, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Chin Rest or Holder for Violins,Violas, and such Like Instruments, of which the following is a specification, the same having been patented in England by Letters Patent dated June 21, 1895, No. 12,062.

My invention has for its object an improved chin rest or holder for violins, violas, and such like instruments which is not only easily secured to such like instruments as the violin, but the parts upon which the chin rests and the instrument rests upon the breast or shoulder are adjustable, so that great convenience and extra security are obtained quickly and without difficulty.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood and easily carried into practical effect, I have appended hereunto a sheet of drawings showing various views of my invcntion and its application to an instrument.

Figure 1 is a view of the attachment B and rest E applied to an instrument A. Fig. 2 is a front view, on an enlarged scale, of the attachment B also applied to the instrument. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the attachment separated from the instrument. Fig. 4 is a perspective back view of the chin-rest E. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the chin-rest E and the part B, to which E is attached by the scroll 6 From sheet-steel or other suitable metal or material I form the foundation portion of my chin-rest attachment B with its projecting parts I) and 5 which are secured to the body oftho instrument, in the position shown or thereabout. The upper portion of B at 12 maybe formed into an entire bearing for the under side of the chin by continuing it to the left or right, or it may be curled round, as shown upon the drawings, and set to a downward angle from the body of the instrument. I prefer to form the chin-bearing from a wood piece E somewhat as shown by Figs. 1, 4, and 5 with a core or center peg e to fit into the scroll Z1 and the cylindrical recess 6 which may embrace the outside of the scroll 11 which with the spring of the scroll allows the rest E to be set at almost any angle at the will of the player, which is a very important advantage, especially when the player desires full command of the left strings of his instrument and when playing the upper notes of the finger-board. It will also be seen that the part b of B is twisted, set, or formed to an angle which may be more or less than that shown at Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The part E may be made from any material suitable for the purpose. The lower portion S of my new device has the scroll 5 formed in any desired configuration to suit the chest or collar-bone of the player and in one piece when desired; but I prefer to attach the peg or piece K thereto, which may be of any desired length or of any de sired shape to suit various players. The piece S is pivoted to B by the rivet or screw .9 The upper portion 8 of S is narrowed and finished with an enlargement in which the button 8 is hung. This button may have either a plain or screwed neck 8 which takes into holes 8 in the portion B, of which there may be any desired number. These holes 8 are drilled or made to a radius struck from the center 8 so that the lower portion S may be immediately set to any desired angle to B, which is also a very great advantage, as the chin-holder may be quickly adapted to any players requirements, and one instrument may thus be made to suit the needs of any number of players without disturbing the foundation-piece B or the tail-board a. Any of the bearing portions maybe lined or padded with velvet, felt, or other material, and the parts may be made either entirely from metal or other material or some from wood or vulcanite.

It will thus be seen that my chin-holder, while being perfectly firm, allows adjustment in regard to the upper rest E and the lower rest K, and also in regard to the relationship of the part S to B, andthat the rivet s and button 8, though shown plain, may be screws or their equivalents, if desired. To set S to B, it is only necessary to draw or unscrew the button .9 and then move it to any other hole 3 desired. It will be obvious that a similar effect may be produced by making B and S in one piece, in which case the adjustment at s 8 would be sacrificed; but even this would produce an improved rest, though I prefer them as shown. Instead of the scrolls b and s provision such as a flange may be formed and the rests fastened thereto.

WVhat I claim, then, is

1. A chin-rest consisting of a block cylindrically recessed to form a peg or core in combination with a supporting attachment having a scroll 011 its upper end which is adapted to slip into the said recess around the said peg or core, and means for attaching the same to a musical instrument, substantially as set forth.

2. Two metallic plates which are pivotally connected together and have the upper end of one and the lower end of the other in scroll In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my name in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK JAMES STRONG. lVitnesses GEORGE BARKER, GEORGE LEsTER. 

